Both federal prosecutors and defence attorneys agreed, under the plea agreement, to recommend a five-year prison sentence. U.S. District Judge Ricardo Martinez doubled this during Thursday’s sentencing.

Masmari, 31, blamed his actions on alcohol, and said in a letter to the court: “I do not believe that I am a bad man but when I get drunk I have done bad things. I swear that it is my intent to never drink again.”

Although homophobia was suggested as a motive for arson, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg writing to court that associates of Masmari suggested he had a “general hostility towards homosexuality”, the prosecution did not attempt to prove it.

Defense attorneys Charles Swift and Jeffrey Cohen sais: “Mr Masmari does not agree that his criminal conduct was fuelled by hate. He does, however, agree with the government that his conduct was fuelled by substance abuse, and in particular alcoholism.”

Following the sentencing, Jenny Durkhan, U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, attributed Masmari’s actions to “ignorance and intolerance” and added: “The Court sent a clear message: this conduct cannot be tolerated.”